Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-09
HEROIC WORK ALLINYAi
A SHIPS CREW AND FIVE Lac =
SAVERS LOST.

The German ship E'Iz beth Discovered
Stranded South of Cape Henry by the
PAtrOl-Sev-n of the St.ttOn Ven Or"
to the Rescue--Both Boats CapstZed
in Returning.
NORFOLK, VA, Jan. Some of the most
disastrous shipwrecks which ever oc-
Cured on the Virginia coast happened at
O'Clock this morning near the Little
Island life-saving station, fourteen miles
south OF Cape Henry. Not less than
twenty, and probably more, lives were
lost, among them five liie-saving men,
who, In the discharge of their duty, were
drowned. The morning was bitterly cold,
and binding snowstorm Prevailed, with
the wind blowing gale from the north
east. During a lull in the storm the life
saving patrol from the Little Island
saving station sighted a large ship
stranded on the bar about so Yards from
shore. When he saw the vessel be was
waiting To meet the patrol from Dam
Neck station and exchange checks, show
Ing that both patroimen had been to the
end OF their beat.
GIVING The ALARM.
The Dam Neck patrol was only a few
yards distant When the vessel vas sighted.
and both fired rockets 10 notify the crew
Ui the stranded snip that she bad been
seen. They hurried back to their re-
spectlve stations and gave the alarm. In
little while bOtn crews, with llie- boats
and apparatus, were abreast of the
wreck, and the boom of the mortar an
nOuuced that a line had been shot out to
the ill-lated vessel. Tue shot was I'M
successful, and a second was fired with
Ike result. After firing six unsuccessful
snots the liie-savIng men determined TO
brave the furious sea aud the death which
seemed certain TO await their venture.
MANNING THE BOATS.
The word OF command being given by
Capt. BelanZa, OF life-saYing station
No. T. known as Little Isla d, six of the
most expert boatmen manned eacn boat,
Al his command tue MN gave way with
will, and in moment both boats were
oreasting the furious waves. They reach
ed the ship in safety and five OF the ships
crew were taken in the liie-Ooat and ten
IN the sDip's boat, which was Launched
tor the purpose. Tue boats were headed
for the shore, and not word was spoken,
tor each man realized the awful peril
which surrounded them. With steady
pull the two boats were making good
Roadway for the shore when a wave of
great power struck both boats, capsIZing
two occupan's into the boiling sea.
sTRUG iLING FOR LIFE.
Then begun desperate struggle for
life, and with many OF the men it was
prolonged one. The terrified life-savers
the beach were pewerless to assist
their drowning comrades or the unfor-
Iunate strangers. the drowning men
we're carried southwark by the seas, aud
-ome OF them We're washed ashore. As
they came within reach they were picked
up, and endeavOrs were made to revive
them, and IN two instances with succc SO,
although one of the two is badly in-
iured. The vessel is the German ship
Elizabeth. Capt. HolDerstadt, from Il am
burg TO Baltimore, and not one of her
crew survives Der wreck. Her cargo is
unknown, as the high seas have thus far
prevented any attempt to gaach her, 1t
IS thought she is leaking badly, and at
sunset her masts were thought to be
giving way.
NAMES OF THE LOST.
OF the lite-saving crew the following
were lost: ABEL Btlanza, Captain OF No.
4. known as Little Island; J. w. Land. OF
the same strtiOn; George w. Stone, of the
same station; j. 4. Bahama, or Dam
Neck station, a brother of Abel and Jo-
sepb Spratley, OF Dam Neck.
John Eiheridge and Frank T. Ford, Of
40. station. were washed ashore and
resuscita ed, but E;heridge is so badly
injured that it is thought ne cannot sur
ylve.